January 25, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

District begins contract talks with teachers union — hires labor negotiator

Talks begin today, Thursday, Jan. 25, between Jeffco Public Schools and the Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA) on a new four-year contract for the district’s approximately 4,700 teachers.  Jeffco Public Schools has hired a nationally-known labor expert as a member of the district’s negotiating team with the intent that he help both sides reach mutually beneficial solutions.  Steve Cabot is the chairman of the Cabot Institute and is one of the country’s foremost negotiators and experts in Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB).

Interest-Based Bargaining has been used by other educational institutions and companies to reach successful contract agreements.  It is considered by labor experts as a “win-win” strategy with one side reaching out to the other to find ways of partnering.
Members of the district’s negotiating team hope the use of IBB will speed up the negotiating process, taking days instead of weeks to reach an agreement.  

The four-year collective bargaining agreement with JCEA will address: compensation, employee rights, management rights, employee leaves, class size, assignments, transfers, evaluations and other employment issues.

Of the district’s $605 million budget, 85 percent is spent on compensation and benefits. To ensure a contract that balances the needs of students and employees, Cabot has been hired to provide guidance and support for the district team.  His agreement extends from October 2006 – March 2007 for an amount that will not exceed $145,000. 

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For additional information, contact Communications Services at 303-982-6808.